Very quick update before I go hit the books. (Chemistry Exam on Thursday!)
As always, I've been pretty busy. Last update was a week ago after we took Grace to get her hair cut on Monday. Tuesday night I had class and then I left on a 6:45 am flight on Wednesday to go to Austin, Texas until Friday. One of my favorite clients was having a Controllers/Manager's meeting and they wanted me to do a 2 hour presentation on their insurance program. It went pretty well, but I was glad to get home on Friday night. When I got home, I had to do the laundry and repack for our weekend trip.
Saturday morning Eric had Step 3 of 4 of his interview process for the weekend job he's working on. After he finished, we left for Indiana for a family reunion. We met up with the BIL, SIL, and nieces at my MIL's house. The guys helped her put up a shed in the yard while I supervised the little ones. Once they finished up, we left the cousins with Nana and headed out for the evening with Kyle, Leslie and Eric's best friend from high school and his wife. We had a dinner at TGI Friday's, stopped by BW3s for a drink, and then headed to play putt-putt, unfortunately we had just missed the cutoff for the last round of putt-putt, so the guys took a turn on the go-cart track and hit some softballs in the batting cages, before we decided head for a local bowling alley. We bowled two games and closed the place down before retiring for the night.
Sunday we had a leisurely morning before heading to a local park for a family reunion on my Father-In-Law's side. It was a good time. Grace loved the food. She kept shoveling it in. We left for home around 2:30 p.m. and got home in time to put Grace to bed.
This week I've got lots to do both at home and work. Today I had class, tomorrow I'm taking my car for an oil change, plus laundry and studying. I have a test on Thursday, plus this weekend I'm going to Indiana for a girls weekend. I was hoping it was going to be a weekend of celebration, but Erica's month didn't end as we all hoped, so we will have a lot of the supportive side of friendship going on.
I'm going to try for one more post before the weekend, but we all know good intentions don't always work out.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Monday, April 17, 2006
First Haircut and Easter
Feel free to scroll through the pictures on Flickr to see pictures of Grace's first haircut and some Easter pics.
Grace was very good for her haircut. I resisted the bangs, but they were very cute. We went to a place that specializes in kid's cuts. She really enjoyed playing on there slide and play area and watched some Wiggles while they cut her hair. For an extra $3, they took a polaroid, gave us a certificate and a baggie with a lock of her hair. She's such a big girl now.
This is Grace on Easter morning. We just went to church like normal, but dressed a little nicer.
Grace was very good for her haircut. I resisted the bangs, but they were very cute. We went to a place that specializes in kid's cuts. She really enjoyed playing on there slide and play area and watched some Wiggles while they cut her hair. For an extra $3, they took a polaroid, gave us a certificate and a baggie with a lock of her hair. She's such a big girl now.
This is Grace on Easter morning. We just went to church like normal, but dressed a little nicer.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Exam I
Eric’s already given me a little pep talk, but I must admit that I am slightly disappointed after my first Chemistry mid-quarter exam last night. It was 25 multiple choice questions and I felt well prepared. The first 20 I breezed through, but the last 5 gave me some trouble. I was pretty sure I figured it out and then when I checked the facts after the test, I still felt good. To be honest, I thought it was possible that I got 100%. After the test we had to do the lab. It was ok, but it was agonizing to wait on my score. Finally, at the end of lab he handed back the answer sheets. I got an 88%. I missed 3 questions, but only one of them was in the last 5, so I don’t know what happened on the others. We’ll go over them on Tuesday.
Luckily, we can through out the lowest of our four mid-quarter exams, so hopefully this is it for me. This just scares me, because I really need to get an “A” in this class. I did get 10 out of 10 on my first lab assignment, so that is good, however, the best I can get on lab #3 (next week) is a 3 out of 10, because I won’t be present for the actual lab and can only do the pre-lab assignment. I guess I better ramp up the studying, if I want to do well. There should still be enough points that I can bring my grade up if I try. Uggh. To be honest, the worst thing was that there is this girl that acts like she know it all and I overheard her say that she got a perfect score on the test. Maybe she does know it all…I guess I’m just used to being the one to get the highest score in the class. Although, I’m sure if I were a professional student and not working 40+ hours a week and having a 16 month old to chase around in the evenings and weekends, I might have a little more time to get those perfect scores. Ok, enough, next time I’ll do better. Now time to get to the job I get paid for.
Luckily, we can through out the lowest of our four mid-quarter exams, so hopefully this is it for me. This just scares me, because I really need to get an “A” in this class. I did get 10 out of 10 on my first lab assignment, so that is good, however, the best I can get on lab #3 (next week) is a 3 out of 10, because I won’t be present for the actual lab and can only do the pre-lab assignment. I guess I better ramp up the studying, if I want to do well. There should still be enough points that I can bring my grade up if I try. Uggh. To be honest, the worst thing was that there is this girl that acts like she know it all and I overheard her say that she got a perfect score on the test. Maybe she does know it all…I guess I’m just used to being the one to get the highest score in the class. Although, I’m sure if I were a professional student and not working 40+ hours a week and having a 16 month old to chase around in the evenings and weekends, I might have a little more time to get those perfect scores. Ok, enough, next time I’ll do better. Now time to get to the job I get paid for.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Cancer Milestones
Look how bad I’ve been…I forgot to write on Monday that I am officially finished with radiation! To be honest, it was a little anticlimactic. I just went in like usual and my favorite tech, Roger, wasn’t even in there. When we were done, they said goodbye and gave me hugs, a parking pass, and told me to stop at the desk on the way out to make a follow-up appointment with the doctor in a month. Since then I haven’t tried to drive there in the morning or missed it at all. Again, I think I’ve been so busy these last six weeks that I didn’t really let this part of treatment effect me much. I feel a little bad, because radiation is all some people have to do and for them, it seems like a really big deal. For me, it just was a minor inconvenience in my day. I kept telling people it was a breeze. I guess in a positive light, I’m not getting down about it.
Regarding symptoms…I finally got to take off the stickers. I still have a bit of sticky residue and the lines, but I don’t want to scrub, so I’ll continue to wash as normal and it’ll probably be gone by the weekend. I’m also peeling. I’m kind of glad, because the skin underneath seems to be less tan/red looking and more like the other side. I’ve also noticed that my scar seems less noticeable. That’s a good thing!
So now I just have to finish my Herceptin treatments. I’ve got one today and will go every 3 weeks probably through the end of the year. Approximately, 14 or 15 more treatments. I don’t really mind the Herceptin days either. I enjoy chatting with the nurses and other patients in the room. As long as they aren’t too full for me to get a recliner, I’m comfortable and sort of enjoy the drowsiness after the shot of Benadryl. I’m also forced to get away from work for a few hours and just sit. I’m going to start bringing my school work to study between chatting and resting. The only negatives of Herceptin days are
1. Accessing my port. It’s not so bad, but I’d still prefer no needles.
2. The smell of Herceptin. For a day or two afterwards I can smell it when I use the restroom or sweat. It’s not necessarily a bad smell. It just reminds me of the drugs and that doesn’t seem normal.
One more thing. Wednesday, April 5th was the last day I wore my wig. I’ve been getting positive responses and feel so much more comfortable when I get over the self-conscious thing. So, I think I’m done with that too. I’ve just got really short hair, but it’s all mine!
Regarding symptoms…I finally got to take off the stickers. I still have a bit of sticky residue and the lines, but I don’t want to scrub, so I’ll continue to wash as normal and it’ll probably be gone by the weekend. I’m also peeling. I’m kind of glad, because the skin underneath seems to be less tan/red looking and more like the other side. I’ve also noticed that my scar seems less noticeable. That’s a good thing!
So now I just have to finish my Herceptin treatments. I’ve got one today and will go every 3 weeks probably through the end of the year. Approximately, 14 or 15 more treatments. I don’t really mind the Herceptin days either. I enjoy chatting with the nurses and other patients in the room. As long as they aren’t too full for me to get a recliner, I’m comfortable and sort of enjoy the drowsiness after the shot of Benadryl. I’m also forced to get away from work for a few hours and just sit. I’m going to start bringing my school work to study between chatting and resting. The only negatives of Herceptin days are
1. Accessing my port. It’s not so bad, but I’d still prefer no needles.
2. The smell of Herceptin. For a day or two afterwards I can smell it when I use the restroom or sweat. It’s not necessarily a bad smell. It just reminds me of the drugs and that doesn’t seem normal.
One more thing. Wednesday, April 5th was the last day I wore my wig. I’ve been getting positive responses and feel so much more comfortable when I get over the self-conscious thing. So, I think I’m done with that too. I’ve just got really short hair, but it’s all mine!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Weekend
I'm just finishing up a very nice weekend with Eric's Dad and girlfriend. Grace is currently in a great mood and is eating goldfish and playing in the basement as I type. If that changes, I'll finish this tonight.
All week, Eric and I have been doing little bits of prep work on the bathroom. Sunday we dry-walled, Monday I put on a coat of primer, Wenesday we did a little more sanding and taping in preparation for painting. Thursday after class I did a quick cleaning job. Friday the plan was to steam the really icky spots on the carpet and paint. We were expecting the family in around 9 or so (assuming they'd leave after work).
Friday morning we got a call that they were leaving around 2 p.m. so would be arriving around 6. Eric ended up going home early from work after his post-surgery medicine was making him sick, so he steamed in the afternoon. We had to skip the painting. After they made it into town and checked into the hotel (they prefer to stay in a hotel, as they both smoke and can't in our house), they came by. Eric's dad got a look at the bathroom and they finished up the last section of drywall. We had skipped the piece where the faucet is.
Saturday they came over around 9 a.m. and the guys got started on the tiling. Grace, Christie and I decided to go to Babies R Us. I wanted to get her a new jacket for spring and Christie asked if she could buy her a couple of outfits for summer. Now that we know she was 25 pounds 7 ounces at her doctor's appointment on Thursday, it makes since that her 18 month clothes are getting tighter. Most 18 month brands end at 26 pounds. We don't have much in the 24 month range. Christie went a little wild and bought Grace about 7 or 8 outfits for summer, 2 sets of summer pj's, 2 pair of shoes, plus her new spring coat. It was lots of fun. After that, we went to baby gymnastics (again I forgot my camera!) Once we got home, Grace took a nap.
Ok, time to save for later...
I'm back (several hours later...)
At around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, the guys stopped work in the bathroom, so we could all shower and get ready to go out. We took Grace to a friend's to babysit and then we headed downtown and had dinner at Gordon Biersch. Then we went to the Bluejackets vs. Detroit Redwings hockey game. We lost, but it was still fun! Then we picked up the baby (who was still awake at 9:45 p.m.!) and headed home and to bed.
Sunday morning Gary and Christie came back around 10 a.m. I finally woke Grace up at 9:30 a.m.! Sleepy girl. The guys worked on the tile project until 4 p.m. and then the in-laws left for home. During the day, Christie played with Grace while I tried to study a little and I also tried to take a little nap on the couch while Grace was napping. Tonight I kept Grace entertained while Eric did some final touch-ups on the grout and caulking. After she went to bed, I went to the grocery and then just had a nice chat with my Mom.
The other big news of the weekend was this morning when my friend Erica had her egg retrieval as a part of the study she's in. All the details are here, but the good news was that they got 20 good eggs! Her embryo transfer will be on Wednesday and she'll get her pregnancy test results during the week before our next Girls Weekend. Keep praying for her, because I would like to celebrate more than the end of chemo and radiation that weekend!
Ok, better go spend some time with the hubby before bed and then back to work tomorrow. Oh, the thought makes me a little nauseous... (work that is, not spending time with the hubby!)
All week, Eric and I have been doing little bits of prep work on the bathroom. Sunday we dry-walled, Monday I put on a coat of primer, Wenesday we did a little more sanding and taping in preparation for painting. Thursday after class I did a quick cleaning job. Friday the plan was to steam the really icky spots on the carpet and paint. We were expecting the family in around 9 or so (assuming they'd leave after work).
Friday morning we got a call that they were leaving around 2 p.m. so would be arriving around 6. Eric ended up going home early from work after his post-surgery medicine was making him sick, so he steamed in the afternoon. We had to skip the painting. After they made it into town and checked into the hotel (they prefer to stay in a hotel, as they both smoke and can't in our house), they came by. Eric's dad got a look at the bathroom and they finished up the last section of drywall. We had skipped the piece where the faucet is.
Saturday they came over around 9 a.m. and the guys got started on the tiling. Grace, Christie and I decided to go to Babies R Us. I wanted to get her a new jacket for spring and Christie asked if she could buy her a couple of outfits for summer. Now that we know she was 25 pounds 7 ounces at her doctor's appointment on Thursday, it makes since that her 18 month clothes are getting tighter. Most 18 month brands end at 26 pounds. We don't have much in the 24 month range. Christie went a little wild and bought Grace about 7 or 8 outfits for summer, 2 sets of summer pj's, 2 pair of shoes, plus her new spring coat. It was lots of fun. After that, we went to baby gymnastics (again I forgot my camera!) Once we got home, Grace took a nap.
Ok, time to save for later...
I'm back (several hours later...)
At around 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, the guys stopped work in the bathroom, so we could all shower and get ready to go out. We took Grace to a friend's to babysit and then we headed downtown and had dinner at Gordon Biersch. Then we went to the Bluejackets vs. Detroit Redwings hockey game. We lost, but it was still fun! Then we picked up the baby (who was still awake at 9:45 p.m.!) and headed home and to bed.
Sunday morning Gary and Christie came back around 10 a.m. I finally woke Grace up at 9:30 a.m.! Sleepy girl. The guys worked on the tile project until 4 p.m. and then the in-laws left for home. During the day, Christie played with Grace while I tried to study a little and I also tried to take a little nap on the couch while Grace was napping. Tonight I kept Grace entertained while Eric did some final touch-ups on the grout and caulking. After she went to bed, I went to the grocery and then just had a nice chat with my Mom.
The other big news of the weekend was this morning when my friend Erica had her egg retrieval as a part of the study she's in. All the details are here, but the good news was that they got 20 good eggs! Her embryo transfer will be on Wednesday and she'll get her pregnancy test results during the week before our next Girls Weekend. Keep praying for her, because I would like to celebrate more than the end of chemo and radiation that weekend!
Ok, better go spend some time with the hubby before bed and then back to work tomorrow. Oh, the thought makes me a little nauseous... (work that is, not spending time with the hubby!)
Friday, April 07, 2006
Holding it Together
So, I've been neglecting my blog...
In the midst of my busiest time at work and extra hours when possible, my week 6 radiation fatigue, student, Mom and wife, I've been lax about keeping up the blog. I've had a post brewing for a while that has less to do with what I've been doing this week and more to do with how I feel, but I'm not quite ready to post it yet. It will come.
I am surviving though. Monday will be my final radiation treatment. Yahoo! Next week I also have several work projects that HAVE to be completed. Not sure how it's going to happen. With class two nights a week I have to leave on time those days. The other days, I could stay late, but too late and I'll go two days in a row without spending any evening time with Grace.
This weekend Eric's dad and girlfriend are visiting. The guys are planning on finishing up the bathroom project. As of tonight all the drywall has been completed (we left the last wall with the fixtures until we had more help). Tomorrow they tile. Tomorrow evening we have plans for dinner and a hockey game. Sometime I need to study as next Thursday is my first chemistry exam.
Sunday, I'll attempt to get some new Grace pictures up. Also, Sunday I'm hoping to get some very exciting news from one of my very best friends.
Only three more weeks until my next girls weekend. Boy do I need it. If only I could find a magic Jennifer clone to go to work and get my piles of work in order while I'm gone...
In the midst of my busiest time at work and extra hours when possible, my week 6 radiation fatigue, student, Mom and wife, I've been lax about keeping up the blog. I've had a post brewing for a while that has less to do with what I've been doing this week and more to do with how I feel, but I'm not quite ready to post it yet. It will come.
I am surviving though. Monday will be my final radiation treatment. Yahoo! Next week I also have several work projects that HAVE to be completed. Not sure how it's going to happen. With class two nights a week I have to leave on time those days. The other days, I could stay late, but too late and I'll go two days in a row without spending any evening time with Grace.
This weekend Eric's dad and girlfriend are visiting. The guys are planning on finishing up the bathroom project. As of tonight all the drywall has been completed (we left the last wall with the fixtures until we had more help). Tomorrow they tile. Tomorrow evening we have plans for dinner and a hockey game. Sometime I need to study as next Thursday is my first chemistry exam.
Sunday, I'll attempt to get some new Grace pictures up. Also, Sunday I'm hoping to get some very exciting news from one of my very best friends.
Only three more weeks until my next girls weekend. Boy do I need it. If only I could find a magic Jennifer clone to go to work and get my piles of work in order while I'm gone...
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Back to School
I have now completed my first week of class in my med school pre-req project, now to be known as (MS-PRP). Tuesday I was almost late for class. Parking is a nightmare and when I eventually found a lot that had spaces and walked to my building it was right at 5:30 p.m. I planned ahead and brought a sandwich and apple that I ate in the car on my way. Sitting in that class room brought back alot of memories. The teacher seems cool, but I can tell my five years of "real world" experience has changed my prospective. He is an older gentleman (been teaching 41 years) and keeps trying to make jokes, but no one laughs. I try to at least smile at his jokes. In the office environment and your in a meeting and someone cracks a joke, you at least acknowledge it (even if it isn't very funny).
We spent the first hour or so of class going over the syllabus. I got a little freaked out because all the stuff we're covering in the first 3 chapters and first mid-quarter exam should be review from our last chemistry class (which since I got the pre-req waived, for me, was in high school about 10 years ago). He was also saying that everyone in the class was pre-professional meaning you don't take this chem class just to fill a science requirement. It's only for those going into medical, dental or pharmacy school. Again freaking out a little. He also said that while this is a 2 day a week class, we should plan on studying every day. (Hmmm...do you think Grace can help with flash cards?) The last important thing was the exam schedule. I think I'm fine for mid-quarters, but the final is on June 6th and the syllabus says no early exams are allowed. (This date is bad for me, as I'm supposed to have a business trip to Finland that week!) After class, I asked him about it and he confirmed that no early exams are allowed. What to do?
After these discussions, he started to lecture and then I started to
relax. I've decided to take it one class at a time. While he was lecturing some of the things started to sound vaguely familiar and the stuff that wasn't familiar was easy enough to understand. While I may not remember everything, I am a quick learner, so if I pay attention in class and do the required reading and assignments, I should be ok.
I actually was late for Thursday's class. I made it to campus and parked fine, but then I stopped by the bookstore to buy lab goggles. Then I went to the lab, because during Tuesday's class Mr. T (my teacher) had said that he would prefer lecturing in the lab on Thursday's since we wouldn't have to change rooms after the first hour. No one was there. Then I checked the room from Tuesday and there was a different class in that room. Finally, I looked at my sheet and went to the room that the class is scheduled in on Thursday's. Everyone was there and the lecture had started. I found my seat and tried to catch up on my notes. After 50 minutes of lecture we went over to the lab for a Safety lecture and check in. It actually took almost 2 hours. Labs should be fairly fun, although I may need to bring a change of clothes so I don't screw up my work clothes. I also don't think I should wear my wig in the lab since it's synthetic and could have reactions to heat or a weird chemical spill. Now I have to decide if I go all natural for lab or bring a cap or scarf...After class I stopped by to run the idea of a late exam (Friday instead
of Tuesday) by Dr. T. He, however, has a business trip to Tokyo leaving Wednesday that week. However, he did say that I could take a make-up exam after the quarter ends. If I do that, he'll have to submit my grade as-is at the end of the week, then when I make it up after the quarter, he'll submit a grade-change request and change my grade. That scares me a little, but I really don't want to miss my opportunity to go to Finland on the company's expense. In a couple years, my opportunity for free world travel will probably come to an end.
I've got some homework to do this week. Reading a chapter or two of my text. Reading the lab book intro and first appendix and then doing my pre-lab assignment for next week. Our first exam is April 13th. It feels so weird to be a student again, but I've got to do my best.
We spent the first hour or so of class going over the syllabus. I got a little freaked out because all the stuff we're covering in the first 3 chapters and first mid-quarter exam should be review from our last chemistry class (which since I got the pre-req waived, for me, was in high school about 10 years ago). He was also saying that everyone in the class was pre-professional meaning you don't take this chem class just to fill a science requirement. It's only for those going into medical, dental or pharmacy school. Again freaking out a little. He also said that while this is a 2 day a week class, we should plan on studying every day. (Hmmm...do you think Grace can help with flash cards?) The last important thing was the exam schedule. I think I'm fine for mid-quarters, but the final is on June 6th and the syllabus says no early exams are allowed. (This date is bad for me, as I'm supposed to have a business trip to Finland that week!) After class, I asked him about it and he confirmed that no early exams are allowed. What to do?
After these discussions, he started to lecture and then I started to
relax. I've decided to take it one class at a time. While he was lecturing some of the things started to sound vaguely familiar and the stuff that wasn't familiar was easy enough to understand. While I may not remember everything, I am a quick learner, so if I pay attention in class and do the required reading and assignments, I should be ok.
I actually was late for Thursday's class. I made it to campus and parked fine, but then I stopped by the bookstore to buy lab goggles. Then I went to the lab, because during Tuesday's class Mr. T (my teacher) had said that he would prefer lecturing in the lab on Thursday's since we wouldn't have to change rooms after the first hour. No one was there. Then I checked the room from Tuesday and there was a different class in that room. Finally, I looked at my sheet and went to the room that the class is scheduled in on Thursday's. Everyone was there and the lecture had started. I found my seat and tried to catch up on my notes. After 50 minutes of lecture we went over to the lab for a Safety lecture and check in. It actually took almost 2 hours. Labs should be fairly fun, although I may need to bring a change of clothes so I don't screw up my work clothes. I also don't think I should wear my wig in the lab since it's synthetic and could have reactions to heat or a weird chemical spill. Now I have to decide if I go all natural for lab or bring a cap or scarf...After class I stopped by to run the idea of a late exam (Friday instead
of Tuesday) by Dr. T. He, however, has a business trip to Tokyo leaving Wednesday that week. However, he did say that I could take a make-up exam after the quarter ends. If I do that, he'll have to submit my grade as-is at the end of the week, then when I make it up after the quarter, he'll submit a grade-change request and change my grade. That scares me a little, but I really don't want to miss my opportunity to go to Finland on the company's expense. In a couple years, my opportunity for free world travel will probably come to an end.
I've got some homework to do this week. Reading a chapter or two of my text. Reading the lab book intro and first appendix and then doing my pre-lab assignment for next week. Our first exam is April 13th. It feels so weird to be a student again, but I've got to do my best.
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